Kicking off Week 8 of the 2024 NFL season with a battle between NFC squads, the Minnesota Vikings will travel from chilly Minneapolis to the sunny land of California, as they take on the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday Night Football.
Bet on Vikings vs. Rams
MIN -2.5
LAR +2.5
With no time to spare in their current campaign, the Rams have their backs against the wall and desperately need a win. Sporting a 2-4 record, the Rams will need to pull up their socks down the stretch of the season if they have any hopes of reaching the playoffs.
Standing across from them, however, is a mighty foe, as the Vikings have been superb in 2024. Coming off of their first loss of the season in Week 7, they may look to vent some frustration at the expense of the Rams.
With plenty on the line for both teams in this primetime matchup, why not get some skin in on the game yourself by placing a bet on the latest Thursday Night Football odds? Below, we’ve provided you with the best odds, expert picks, and juicy betting trends so you can boost your bankroll on this evening’s tilt.
Check out our Vikings VS Rams betting preview below and find the best bets available on Thursday Night Football today.
| Vikings Moneyline Odds | -143 |
| Rams Moneyline Odds | +120 |
| Spread odds | Vikings -2.5 (-118), Rams +2.5 (+100) |
| Over/Under | 48.5 points (over -105, under -115) |
| Time/Date | Oct. 24, 8:15 p.m. ET |
| TV | Broadcast: TSN/DAZN |
Betting the Minnesota Vikings (5-1 SU, 5-1 ATS, 2-4 o/u)
Hot off the heels of a heartbreaking loss to their division rivals in the Detroit Lions, the Vikings are hoping for a bounce-back victory in this short-week matchup. Having been one of the season’s biggest surprises thus far, the Vikings look to be legitimate playoff contenders in the NFC.
With an electrifying offence led by quarterback Sam Darnold, the Vikes have utilized top players in wide receiver Justin Jefferson and running back Aaron Jones to the best of their abilities.
From a betting perspective, the Vikings have been steady money-makers. While good teams win, great teams cover, and the Vikings have been doing a lot of both so far in 2024. With a stellar 5-1 record against the spread, they’ve easily been one of the most reliable betting options in the NFL this season.
Betting the Los Angeles Rams (2-4 SU, 1-5 ATS, 3-3 o/u)
Off to yet another disappointing start to their season, the Rams are still in search of the magic that sparked their 2021 Super Bowl run.
With a myriad of injuries to top offensive contributors, the Rams have struggled to maintain competitive play throughout the season. Having suffered ugly losses to the Arizona Cardinals and Las Vegas Raiders, it’s clear that the playoffs might be a pipedream for the Rams in 2024.
Betting on the Rams has been about as fruitful as their on-field production, currently tied for the worst record against the spread in the NFL, along with an unpredictable point total trend. Unless you’ve been fading the Rams this season, they have been a black hole for cash in 2024.
Betting Mismatch
On-pace for his worst season since his rookie year when it comes to his TD/INT ratio, Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford has been porous, to say the least. To his credit, the Rams have been without star wide receiver tandem Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua for most of the season. Still, Stafford has been a turnover machine regardless.
Having thrown four interceptions in six games played this season, Stafford has been shaky in the pocket. Over his last three games, Stafford has thrown at least one interception in each contest.
Going up against a ferocious Vikings defence that currently leads the league in interceptions generated, look for Stafford to continue his early-season struggles, throwing Over 0.5 interceptions on Thursday Night Football.
Matthew Stafford Over 0.5 Interceptions
-108
Key Injuries
For the Rams, they have several players listed as questionable for Thursday Night Football. Top wideout threat Puka Nacua has returned from IR but his status against the Vikings is still up in the air. Other members of the Rams lineup that are questionable to compete are LB Troy Reeder, DT Neville Gallimore, and WR Jordan Whittington.
The Vikings enter Week 8 with solid overall health, with only a few players on their injury report. While tight end T.J. Hockenson is still unlikely to make his season debut this week, he was a limited participant at practice. Other players questionable to compete this week for the Vikings are RB Aaron Jones, DT Harrison Phillips, LB Blake Cashman, and CB Akayleb Evans.
Weather
While So-Fi Stadium does have a roof, it is not immune to weather conditions so it’s important to note the latest weather reports ahead of Thursday Night Football.
The latest weather forecast for Inglewood, California projects to be a warm, humid night, with temperatures around 19-degrees come kickoff, with light winds accompanying it.
NFL Betting Trends
- The Vikings and Rams haven’t had a head-to-head matchup finish by two or fewer points since 1989. Take this into account when betting the Rams +2.5 vs. taking them on the moneyline.
- Since 2021, the Vikings have been 9-2 straight-up away favourites.
- The Rams have struggled as underdogs in 2024, rocking a 1-3 ATS record as underdogs.
- No stranger to low-scoring games, the Rams have finished four of their six games played this season with Under 48.5 combined points scored.
NFL Player Prop Trends
- Justin Jefferson has scored a receiving touchdown in five of his six games played this season. He is currently priced at +105 to snag a touchdown grab against the Rams.
- Aaron Jones has rushed for Over 68.5 yards in four of his six games played in 2024. Recording an average of 73.8 yards per game, he is a good bet to exceed his rushing yard total.
- Dating back to the 2023 season, Rams running back Kyren Williams has scored touchdowns in nine consecutive regular season games. He is priced at -133 to score a rushing touchdown this evening.
- Even while playing from behind in the majority of his games played this season, Matthew Stafford has thrown for Under 237.5 yards in four of his six starts. He is currently listed at -120 to finish below this mark against the Vikings.
Vikings vs. Rams Predictions
- Set to get back on track and continue their winning ways, hammer the Vikings to easily cover the spread as favourites against the Rams. The Vikes have proven themselves to be one of the top teams in the NFL this season, while the Rams have been an inconsistent mess. The Rams are going to struggle to compete with the firepower of the Vikings and have proven to be weak when playing while trailing. Bank on the Vikings to cruise to victory on primetime as they cover the spread on Thursday Night Football.
- While both teams have managed to light up the scoreboard routinely this season, look for the point total to finish with Under 48.5 points. The Vikings have finished the majority of their games played this season in the realm of the Under, while the Rams have failed to exceed the 48.5-point mark in four of their six games played. Although it’s likely that the Vikings will have no trouble putting up points against the Rams’ defence, the same can’t be said for the Rams against the Vikings. These trends all point in the direction of the Under being the best bet when wagering on the over/under of the game.
